Bellarmine tops list of boys soccer teams

Published 4:00 am, Friday, January 11, 2002

Of the nation's top 25 boys winter soccer teams -- according to Student Sports Inc. -- 10 are from California. However, only one kicks it around regularly in the northern half of the state.

That one, in fact -- Bellarmine Prep of San Jose -- is at the top of the list.

The Bells (13-0-0) are the No. 1 team in the land after winning the prestigious Puma Invitational in Tampa, Fla., late last month. They went 4-0 in the premier bracket, outscoring foes 13-5, including a 4-2 win over the then-No. 2 team, Flagler Palm Coast of Bunnell, Fla.

Despite the elite status, senior forward David Vedder said the Bells are not floating or glib.

"It (being ranked No. 1) is a great honor, and everyone is aware of it," Vedder said. "But we know if we lose our focus, things can change at a moment's notice. We just have to keep working harder and take nothing for granted."

That attitude has been instilled by new head coach Patrick Lowney, who was an assistant coach the previous four seasons.

The Bells have won 10 of the last 12 Central Coast Section titles, including four of the last five, when they've gone 103-4-13. Bellarmine, a private boys school of 1,400 students, was crowned the national champion by Student Sports in the 1999-2000 season as well.

When asked about his program's success, Lowney gives a broader perspective.

"It's the entire Bellarmine experience," he said. "Some kids may come here for soccer but leave with a whole different perspective. The motto here is 'men for others.' It's about putting yourself into the group, and that translates into team and brotherhood.

"If kids come here just for soccer, they shouldn't. There's a whole lot more to our success than playing on the field."

There's no argument the Bells know the game and have talented players executing it.

Of last season's 12 seniors, six are playing Division I college soccer. Lowney believes that of his current 10 seniors, six should move on to Division I programs, including the team's leading scorers Nick Hatzke, Nate Slesnick and Shalvey. All three are midfielders.

"We can't rest, because the intensity we get is fierce," Lowney said. "It's like playing 20 to 25 playoff games a year."

LOCALS LAUDED: The final all-state football team was announced by Cal-Hi Sports, and Los Gatos quarterback Trent Edwards beat out a talented group as a first-team selection.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound senior set a state career completion-percentage record (74.1) by completing 275 of 371 for 5,014 yards, 58 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

In 2001, he was 154 of 213 (72.3 percent) for 2,535 yards, 29 touchdowns and three interceptions as the Wildcats finished 13-0 for the second straight season. In his three years at quarterback, Los Gatos was 37-1. He has narrowed his college choices to UCLA and Stanford.

The only other CCS player mentioned among large schools was Palma of Salinas offensive lineman Elliott Vallejo (6-8, 275, senior), a first-team selection.

Pacific Grove wide receiver and defensive back Phil Shin made the first team for medium-size schools, as did Mills of Millbrae quarterback Adam Tafralis.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Los Gatos' Butch Cattolico was chosen Cal-Hi Sports' medium-school-level football coach of the year.

A 42-0 win over previously unbeaten San Lorenzo Valley of Felton in the CCS Division III final secured the honor for Cattolico, who has posted a 157-35 record in his 15-year tenure. He is one of just 11 coaches in state history with a winning percentage of 80 percent or higher with a minimum of 100 career wins.

BOYS HOOPS ON A ROLL: St. Francis of Mountain View coach Steve Filios recorded his 223rd career win with a 59-48 WCAL basketball win over St. Ignatius last week, tying him with Bill Delaney (1979-1992) for the most victories at the school -- and Serra got off to a flying start to the WCAL season with decisive wins over Bellarmine and Archbishop Mitty of San Jose.

In a 67-46 win over Mitty, the Padres shot 53 percent from the floor, led by Vic Esposto who scored a career-high 23 points on 10 of 15 from the field. Delphino Williams added 12 points.

Going into WCAL play, Serra was one of the few teams not coming off a tournament championship, having lost to undefeated California of San Ramon 71- 66 in the championship of the Tim Cole Classic in Fremont. The Grizzlies (14- 0) are ranked No. 5 in The Chronicle's Metro Area rankings, while Serra is No. 16.

Paul Shamieh and Zach Rand were all-tourney players for the Padres -- Riordan, Bellarmine and St. Francis all won tourneys heading into WCAL play.

WCAL play continues at 7:30 tonight with the following games: St. Ignatius at Bellarmine, Serra at St. Francis and Riordan at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Milpitas pulled off a 62-49 upset over Palo Alto in a Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division boys basketball opener last week. Cory Fessenmeyer scored a game-high 16 points, while Julian Conyers and Nehemiah Palazzo each had 14. Palo Alto was ranked No. 12 in the Bay Area going into the game.

SLAMMIN' NORMAN: Bellarmine graduate Jason Norman, a freshman with Harvard's men's basketball team, had just two points in his team's 69-54 loss to the University of California at Berkeley in the opening round of the Golden Bear Classic two weeks ago, but they were memorable. The 6-3 guard/forward put down a slam dunk in the first half at Cal's Haas Pavilion to a thunderous ovation from Peninsula fans in attendance.

Norman, the WCAL Player of the Year last season, averaged 5.2 minutes in Harvard's first 10 games.